Stow roller train for cargo

ABSTRACT

Stow roller train for storing and conveying piece goods or cargo without stowing pressure, with rotatably mounted article-bearing rollers which are selectively drivingly coupled by intermediate rollers, with a constantly rotating traction means supported by supporting rollers. The intermediate rollers are adjustably coupled in groups. Each group of intermediate rollers is connected by means of a linkage with a feeler or probe engageable by the cargo and is thereby moved between a driving and an idling position. Respectively one intermediate roller and one supporting roller are mounted to a pivotably disposed lever. The bearing of the intermediate roller is axially fixed and radially movable with respect to the rotational axis of the intermediate roller. The supporting roller is positioned on said lever such that it automatically and simultaneously presses the traction means against the intermediate roller when said intermediate roller is being moved by the linkage toward the driving position thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Gebhardt Nov. 19, 1974 STOW ROLLER TRAIN FORCARGO [76] Inventor: Richard Gebhardt, l-l. Thomastrasse 10, 6920Sinsheim, Germany [22] Filed: Nov. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 416,504

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary ExaminerRichard A.Schacher Assistant ExaminerRichard K. Thomson Attorney, Agent, orFirmCraig & Antonelli [5 7] ABSTRACT Stow roller train for storing andconveying piece goods or cargo without stowing pressure, with rotatablymounted article-bearing rollers which are selectively drivingly coupledby intermediate rollers, with a constantly rotating traction meanssupported by supporting rollers. The intermediate rollers are adjustablycoupled in groups. Each group of intermediate rollers is connected bymeans of a linkage with a feeler or probe engageable by the cargo and isthereby moved between a driving and an idling position. Respectively oneintermediate roller and one supporting roller are mounted to a pivotablydisposed lever. The bearing of the intermediate roller is axially fixedand radially movable with respect to the rotational axis of theintermediate roller. The supporting roller is positioned on said leversuch that it automatically and simultaneously presses the traction meansagainst the intermediate roller when said intermediate roller is beingmoved by the linkage toward the driving position thereof.

25 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures STOW ROLLER TRAIN FOR CARGO BACKGROUND ANDSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a stow roller trainfor storing and conveying cargo without stowing pressure, with rotatablymounted articleor load-bearing rollers which are selectively drivinglycoupled by intermediate rollers with a constantly rotating tractionmeans supported by supporting rollers. The intermediate rollers areadjustably coupled in groups, wherein group of intermediate rollers isconnected by means of a linkage with a feeler operable or engageable bythe cargo and is thereby moved between a driving position and an idlingposition. My co-pending application Ser. No. 191,028 filed Oct. 20,1971, describes a stow roller train of the general type contemplated bythe present invention. The disclosure of said co-pending application isincorporated by reference herein as an aid to the understanding of thepresent disclosure.

Stow roller trains have been contemplated wherein the supporting rollersare mounted to the frame profile. In the driving position, theintermediate roller is introduced between the thus-mounted tractionmeans and the load-bearing roller. Since the traction means moves in theconveying direction of the cargo to be transported, the intermediateroller, with increasing resistance on the load-bearing roller, tends toforce itself increasingly between the load-bearing roller and thetraction means. This results in a kind of jammed coupling of theintermediate roller between the load-bearing roller and the tractionmeans which can be released only with considerable expenditure of force.A high torque transmission is essential for a smooth conductance of theconveying operation. High acceleration forces effect a strong jamming ofthe intermediate rollers, which then retain their position during theuniform conveying speed in spite of reduced torque transmission. Thegreat forces expended in releasing the jammed components interfere inthe uniform movement of the cargo. Therefore, the control of the drivemeans for the loadbearing rollers is cumbersome and sluggish.

The present invention contemplates an improved stow roller trainarrangement which avoids the abovediscussed disadvantages and whichrender the adjustment of the intermediate rollers fluid and sensitive,while maintaining high acceleration forces for conveying the articles onthe load-bearing rollers.

The present invention further contemplates mounting both an intermediateroller and a supporting roller on a pivotably mounted lever such thatthe supporting roller presses the traction means against theintermediate roller when the intermediate roller is moved to the drivingposition thereof. The intermediate roller is mounted at the lever so asto be axially fixed and radially movable with respect to the axis ofrotation of the intermediate roller. The radial movability of theintermediate roller is provided to accommodate monor adjusting movementsof the intermediate roller with the linkage in a relatively fixeddriving position.

A particularly simple mounting of the lever results, in a furtherdevelopment of the invention, by arranging the lever to be freelypivotable on the axle of the load bearing roller.

The advantages attained by the present invention reside especially inthat the intermediate roller, by the simultaneous automatic movement ofthe supporting roller, may be pressed vigorously between the loadbearingroller and the traction means when in the driving position and also beeasily and rapidly released into the idling position because no jammingtakes place. The interruption of the driving connection from thetraction means to the load-bearing roller consequently requires onlyminor adjusting forces. Corresponding considerations apply regarding theadjustment into the driving position. The adjusting or control motionsfurthermore can be made without jerks and thus are relatively noiseless.Also, the stow roller train of my invention can be used equally well forheavy piece goods and for more lightweight cargo because of theabovediscussed reduced jamming tendencies. Since the transport isaccomplished smoothly and securely, independently of the weight of thecargo, the stow roller train of the invention can be used universallywith equally high switching accuracy and drive transmission.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, forpurposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinalsectional side view taken along line ll of FIG. 2 and showing a stowroller train constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the drive system of the stow rollertrain according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional side view showing anenlarged illustration of the drive system of a load-bearing roller ofthe stow roller train according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 which shows an enlarged illustrationof a drive system for a load-bearing roller constructed in accordancewith another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The stow roller train of FIGS. 1and 2 includes two frame profiles l, disposed side-by-side in parallel(FIG. 2 only showing half of the train width and one of profiles l). Aplurality of load-bearing rollers 2 are arranged spaced from one anotherin the conveying direction (arrow in FIG. 1). and rotatably supportedabout axles 6 in frame profiles 1. A traction means 3 in the form of anendless belt (a flat belt or a a V-belt) extends underneath theload-bearing rollers 2. At the respective opposite ends (not shown) ofthe stow roller train, this traction means 3 is disposed on reversingguide wheels, one of which is drivingly connected to a motor such thatsaid traction means 3 can be continuously moved.

Intermediate rollers 4 roll along the traction means 3, respectively onebeing associatd with each loadbearing roller 2. Each intermediate roller4 is mounted on an axle 5 so that it is axially fixed but has a radialplay with respect to the axle S. The axle 5 is attached to a lever 7disposed freely pivotable on the axle 6 of the load-bearing roller 2.The lever 7 extends to underneath the traction means 3 and at that pointcarries, on an axle 8, a freely rotatable supporting roller 9 in contactwith the bottom of the traction means 3. As best illustrated in FIG. 3,the lever 7 is of such a configuration, and the intermediate roller 4and the supporting roller 9 are arranged so that the lever 7 tends tomaintain the intermediate roller 4 in contact with the load-bearingroller 2 by the force of gravity. That is, the center of gravity of thelever 7 and attached rollers is such as to effect a gravity inducedpivotal movement of lever 7 to the position shown in dash lines in FIG.3.

The load-bearing rollers 2 can be coupled to and uncoupled from thetraction means 3 in groups. For this purpose, each group of rollers hasa common linkage 10 connected to the associated levers 7 and/or to theaxles of the intermediate rollers 4. Between the loadbearing rollers 2,a feeler 12 is pivotably attached to the frame profiles 1 in front of agroup of rollers, as seen in the conveying direction of the cargo 11.(FIG. 1). This feeler 12, in the rest position, extends beyond theload-bearing rollers 2, i.e., into the path of motion of the cargo 11,and is pivoted by the cargo while the latter moves over the feeler. Thelinkage of the associated group of rollers is coupled to an arm 13 ofthe feeler 12.

It can be seen that the cargo 11 pivots the feeler 12 and thereby thelevers 7 coupled thereto in the counterclockwise direction. The axles 5contact the wall of the inner bore 14 of the intermediate roller 4,which bore has a larger diameter, and press the intermediate roller 4from the driving position into the idling position (in FIG. 3, thedriving position is shown in dash lines and the idling position in solidlines). Simultaneously with the pivoting of the levers 7, the supportingrollers 9 drop downwardly and release the intermediate roller 4 from thedriving position between the loadbearing roller 2 and the traction means3 by relieving the upward pressure in the traction means 3. Afterrelease of the feeler 12 by the cargo 11, the lever 7 pivots in theclockwise direction under the effect of gravity and resets theintermediate roller 4 again into the driving position.

Due to the radial play between the axle 5 and the inner bore 14, theintermediate roller 4 can freely adjust itself in its driving positionand can force itself to a greater or lesser extent between theload-bearing roller 2 and the traction means 3, depending on the drivepower to be transmitted. The supporting roller 9 prevents too forciblyan intoduction of the intermediate roller; this supporting roller 9lifts the traction means 3 and thereby reduces the spacing between thetraction means 3 and the load-bearing roller 2 so that the tractionmeans 3 is pressed against the intermediate roller 4 in order to effecta high degree of force transmission of the driving force from thetraction means to the intermediate roller 4. This arrangement alsolimits the depth of penetration of roller 4 with respect to the spacebetween roller 2 and traction means 3. The intermediate roller 4 has afree radial adjustability, within limits, due to the difference in sizeof axle 5 and bore 14. This radial adjustability is still furtherincreased by providing that the linkage 10 surrounds the axle 5 with acutout 19 having a lateral play, as indicated in FIG. 3.

Another embodiment of the intermediate roller mounting is illustrated inFIG. 4. The intermediate roller 4 and the supporting roller 9 are heremounted to a lever 15 disposed pivotably at the profile frame 1 on asillustrated and carries a counterweight 17 at the upper, angled end, sothat the lever 15 retains the position shown in FIG. 4 in response togravity forces thereon. The axle 5 of the intermediate roller 4 extendsinto a bore 18 in the lever 15, which bore has a larger diameter, andthus the axle 5 likewise has radial play for the independent adjustmentin the driving position. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, the linkage 10 can bearticulated directly to the axle 5 or also with a clearance to the lever15. The function thereof corresponds to that described hereinabove forthe FIG. 3 arrangement.

The intennediate roller 4 consists suitably and preferably of an elasticmaterial, for example of rubber. Spring 20 is provided to assist in thesupport of the maintenance of the driving position of the linkage 10.Spring 20 is thus effective on the intermediate rollers 4 in the radialdirection for biasing same into driving engagement between tractionmeans 3 and rollers 2. Similar spring arrangements can also be utilizedin con- 20 junction with the other illustrated embodiment.

an axle 16 beside the axle 6 of the load-bearing roller 6 2 (axle 16 isspaced from axle 6 in a direction opposite the conveying direction). Thelever 15 is of bent shape While I have shown and described severalembodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understoodthat the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerouschanges and modifications as known to those skilled in the art and Itherefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and describedherein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as areencompassed by thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A stow roller train comprising:

a plurality of conveying roller sets spaced from one another in aconveying direction for sequentially conveyingly engaging articles to beconveyed,

a continuously movable traction means extending adjacent said pluralityof conveying roller sets,

each of said conveying roller sets including an articlecarrying rollerand an intermediate roller at one side of said traction means and asupport roller at the other side of said traction means,

article position detecting means for detecting the position of anarticle on said article-carrying rollers,

linkage means connected to said detecting means and to respective onesof said intermediate rollers for automatically effecting movement ofsaid intermediate rollers between driving positons with the respectiveintermediate roller drivingly connecting the traction means with therespective associated article-carrying roller of the same conveyingroller set and idling positions with the respective intermediate rollerout of driving connection with the traction means and the respectiveassociated articlecarrying roller of the same conveying roller set independence on the position of said article,

and supporting roller mounting means interconnecting a supporting rollerand intermediate roller of a given conveying set such that movement ofsaid intermediate roller from an idling to a driving position thereofautomatically results in movement of said supporting roller against thetraction means to thereby press the traction means in a direction towardthe intermediate roller.

2. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein said supportingroller mounting means for each conveying-roller set includes a lever andmeans for rotatably supporting both the intermediate roller and thesupport roller for a respective conveyor set on said lever, and whereinsaid lever is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis spacedfrom the respective rotational axes of said support roller andintermediate roller supported thereon.

3. A stow roller train according to claim 2, wherein the means forrotatably supporting the intermediate roller at said lever includesmeans for preventing movement of said intermediate roller in thedirection of its rotational axis and means permitting relative movementof said intermediate roller and lever in a radial direction with respectto said rotational axis so that said intermediate roller can adjustradially to driving conditions with a given position of said lever.

4. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein, for each conveyingroller set, said supporting roller is positioned with respect to saidarticle-carrying roller and intermediate roller such that said movementof said supporting roller against the traction means effects a reductionin the distance between engagement points of the intermediate roller atthe traction means and the article-carrying roller, whereby the tendencyof said intermediate roller to jam between said traction means andarticle-carrying roller is reduced.

5. A stow roller train according to claim 3, wherein for each conveyingroller set, said supporting roller is positioned with respect to saidarticle carrying roller and intermediate roller such that said movementof said supporting roller against the traction means effects a reductionin the distance between engagement points of the intermediate roller atthe traction means and the article-carrying roller, whereby the tendencyof said intermediate roller to jam between said traction means andarticle-carrying roller is reduced.

6. A stow roller train according to claim 19, wherein said linkage meansand detecting means include a common linkage and detector for aplurality of said conveying roller sets with several such commonlinkages and detectors being provided for respective separate groupingsof said conveying roller sets and being operable separately from oneanother to control the respective conveying roller sets of therespective groupings.

7. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein said detectingmeans includes feeler means positioned in the path of articles beingconveyed, said feeler means being mechanically connected to said linkagemeans.

8. A stow roller train according to claim 2, wherein, for each conveyingroller set, the lever is pivotably mounted at an axle which rotatablysupports the article-carrying rollers.

9. A stow roller train according to claim 5, wherein, for each conveyingroller set, the lever is pivotably mounted at an axle which rotatablysupports the article-carrying rollers.

10. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the supporting roller mounting means and theconnection of the linkage means and intermediate roller is such that, inthe absence of an article at the detecting means, the intermediateroller is held in the driving position by gravity.

11. A stow roller train according to claim 5, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the supporting roller mounting means and theconnection of the linkage means and intermediate roller is such that, inthe absence of an article at the detecting means, the intermediateroller is held in the driving position by gravity.

12. A stow roller train according to claim 11, wherein said linkagemeans and detecting means include a common linkage and detector for aplurality of said conveying roller sets with several such commonlinkages and detectors being provided for respective separate groupingsof said conveying roller sets and being operable separately from oneanother to control the respective conveying roller sets of therespective groupings.

13. A stow roller train according to claim 8, wherein. for eachconveying roller set, the supporting roller mounting means and theconnection of the linkage means and intermediate roller is such that. inthe absence of an article at the detecting means, the intermediateroller is held in the driving position by gravity.

14. A stow roller train according to claim 2, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the supporting roller mounting means and theconnection of the linkage means and intermediate roller is such that, inthe absence of an article at the detecting means, the intermediateroller is held in the driving position by gravity.

15. A stow roller train according to claim 14, wherein a counter weightis provided on said lever to counteract the gravity forces exerted onsaid lever by said supporting roller.

16. A stow roller train according to claim 14, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the lever is pivotably mounted at an axle which isspaced from the rotational axis of said article-carrying roller.

17. A stow roller train according to claim 16, wherein a counterweightis provided on said lever to counteract the gravity forces exerted onsaid lever by said supporting roller.

18. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the intermediate roller has an axle and an innerbore which has a larger diameter than the axle, and wherein said axle isdisposed in a larger cutout in said linkage means.

19. A stow roller train according to claim 3, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the intermediate roller has an axle and an innerbore which has a larger diameter than the axle, and wherein said axle isdisposed in a larger cutout in said linkage means.

20. A stow roller train according to claim 5, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the intermediate roller has an axle and an innerbore which has a larger diameter than the axle, and wherein said axle isdisposed in a larger cutout in said linkage means.

21. A stow roller train according to claim 2, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the intermediate roller has an axle which isdisposed in a bore of said lever which has a larger diameter than saidaxle.

22. A stow roller train according to claim 16, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the intermediate roller has an axle which isdisposed in a bore of said lever which has a larger diameter than saidaxle.

23. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein said tractionmeans is an endless flexible belt.

24. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein each of saidintermediate rollers are constructed of an elastic material.

25. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein spring means areprovided for assisting in normally maintaining said intermediate rollersin respective driving positions.

1. A stow roller train comprising: a plurality of conveying roller setsspaced from one another in a conveying direction for sequentiallyconveyingly engaging articles to be conveyed, a continuously movabletraction means extending adjacent said plurality of conveying rollersets, each of said conveying roller sets including an articlecarryingroller and an intermediate roller at one side of said traction means anda support roller at the other side of said traction means, articleposition detecting means for detecting the position of an article onsaid article-carrying rollers, linkage means connected to said detectingmeans and to respective ones of said intermediate rollers forautomatically effecting movement of said intermediate rollers betweendriving positons with the respective intermediate roller drivinglyconnecting the traction means with the respective associatedarticle-carrying roller of the same conveying roller set and idlingpositions with the respective intermediate roller out of drivingconnection with the traction means and the respective associatedarticle-carrying roller of the same conveying roller set in dependenceon the position of said article, and supporting roller mounting meansinterconnecting a supporting roller and intermediate roller of a givenconveying set such that movement of said intermediate roller from anidling to a driving position thereof automatically results in movementof said supporting roller against the traction means to thereby pressthe traction means in a direction toward the intermediate roller.
 2. Astow roller train according to claim 1, wherein said supporting rollermounting means for each conveying-roller set includes a lever and meansfor rotatably supporting both the intermediate roller and the supportroller for a respective conveyor set on said lever, and wherein saidlever is mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis spaced from therespective rotational axes of said support roller and intermediateroller supported thereon.
 3. A stow roller train according to claim 2,wherein the means for rotatably supporting the intermediate roller atsaid lever includes means for preventing movement of said intermediateroller in the direction of its rotational axis and means permittingrelative movement of said intermediate roller and lever in a radialdirection with respect to said rotational axis so that said intermediateroller can adjust radially to driving conditions with a given positionof said lever.
 4. A stow roller train according to claim 1, wherein, foreach conveying roller set, said supporting roller is positioned withrespect to said article-carrying roller and Intermediate roller suchthat said movement of said supporting roller against the traction meanseffects a reduction in the distance between engagement points of theintermediate roller at the traction means and the article-carryingroller, whereby the tendency of said intermediate roller to jam betweensaid traction means and article-carrying roller is reduced.
 5. A stowroller train according to claim 3, wherein for each conveying rollerset, said supporting roller is positioned with respect to said articlecarrying roller and intermediate roller such that said movement of saidsupporting roller against the traction means effects a reduction in thedistance between engagement points of the intermediate roller at thetraction means and the article-carrying roller, whereby the tendency ofsaid intermediate roller to jam between said traction means andarticle-carrying roller is reduced.
 6. A stow roller train according toclaim 19, wherein said linkage means and detecting means include acommon linkage and detector for a plurality of said conveying rollersets with several such common linkages and detectors being provided forrespective separate groupings of said conveying roller sets and beingoperable separately from one another to control the respective conveyingroller sets of the respective groupings.
 7. A stow roller trainaccording to claim 1, wherein said detecting means includes feeler meanspositioned in the path of articles being conveyed, said feeler meansbeing mechanically connected to said linkage means.
 8. A stow rollertrain according to claim 2, wherein, for each conveying roller set, thelever is pivotably mounted at an axle which rotatably supports thearticle-carrying rollers.
 9. A stow roller train according to claim 5,wherein, for each conveying roller set, the lever is pivotably mountedat an axle which rotatably supports the article-carrying rollers.
 10. Astow roller train according to claim 1, wherein, for each conveyingroller set, the supporting roller mounting means and the connection ofthe linkage means and intermediate roller is such that, in the absenceof an article at the detecting means, the intermediate roller is held inthe driving position by gravity.
 11. A stow roller train according toclaim 5, wherein, for each conveying roller set, the supporting rollermounting means and the connection of the linkage means and intermediateroller is such that, in the absence of an article at the detectingmeans, the intermediate roller is held in the driving position bygravity.
 12. A stow roller train according to claim 11, wherein saidlinkage means and detecting means include a common linkage and detectorfor a plurality of said conveying roller sets with several such commonlinkages and detectors being provided for respective separate groupingsof said conveying roller sets and being operable separately from oneanother to control the respective conveying roller sets of therespective groupings.
 13. A stow roller train according to claim 8,wherein, for each conveying roller set, the supporting roller mountingmeans and the connection of the linkage means and intermediate roller issuch that, in the absence of an article at the detecting means, theintermediate roller is held in the driving position by gravity.
 14. Astow roller train according to claim 2, wherein, for each conveyingroller set, the supporting roller mounting means and the connection ofthe linkage means and intermediate roller is such that, in the absenceof an article at the detecting means, the intermediate roller is held inthe driving position by gravity.
 15. A stow roller train according toclaim 14, wherein a counter weight is provided on said lever tocounteract the gravity forces exerted on said lever by said supportingroller.
 16. A stow roller train according to claim 14, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the lever is pivotably mounted at an axle which isspaced from the rotational axis of said article-carrying roller.
 17. Astow roller train according to claim 16, wherein a counterweight isprovided on said lever to counteract the gravity forces exerted on saidlever by said supporting roller.
 18. A stow roller train according toclaim 1, wherein, for each conveying roller set, the intermediate rollerhas an axle and an inner bore which has a larger diameter than the axle,and wherein said axle is disposed in a larger cutout in said linkagemeans.
 19. A stow roller train according to claim 3, wherein, for eachconveying roller set, the intermediate roller has an axle and an innerbore which has a larger diameter than the axle, and wherein said axle isdisposed in a larger cutout in said linkage means.
 20. A stow rollertrain according to claim 5, wherein, for each conveying roller set, theintermediate roller has an axle and an inner bore which has a largerdiameter than the axle, and wherein said axle is disposed in a largercutout in said linkage means.
 21. A stow roller train according to claim2, wherein, for each conveying roller set, the intermediate roller hasan axle which is disposed in a bore of said lever which has a largerdiameter than said axle.
 22. A stow roller train according to claim 16,wherein, for each conveying roller set, the intermediate roller has anaxle which is disposed in a bore of said lever which has a largerdiameter than said axle.
 23. A stow roller train according to claim 1,wherein said traction means is an endless flexible belt.
 24. A stowroller train according to claim 1, wherein each of said intermediaterollers are constructed of an elastic material.
 25. A stow roller trainaccording to claim 1, wherein spring means are provided for assisting innormally maintaining said intermediate rollers in respective drivingpositions.